Electrode.



- R. H. STEVENS.

ELECTRODE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 29, 1911.

1,077,894. I Patented N0v.4,1913.

- Tungslen Plalinw r Core Plaling ufhwssaf In 1) en/io n KW UNITED STATES ignn'r OFFICE.

R-OYALE H. s'rnvn s, or SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH, ASSIGNOB 'ro UNITED STATES SMELTING, RE INING & MINING COMPANY, or PoIeTLAND, MAINE, A ooaro- RA'rroN or MAINE.

ing the metallic values from ores and com-' pounds, known as electro-metallurgy; the deterioration of the electrodes,anodes and cathodeshas been a serious difficulty.

My purpose is to provide an eflicient elec- 20 trode for use in all those classes of solutions and fused compounds in which, by means of a direct electric current, metals are deposited on or at the cathode, and such gases as oxygen, chlorin, bromin, iodin,'fiuorin, cyanogen and their compounds are liberated at the anode. 4

A fur'therobject is to provide an electrode for use in arc smelting and resistance smelt ing.

A still further object is to improve and enlarge theuse of tungsten as electrodes in the several uses that such metal may be adapted to, in-the general character outlined above and as may be developed when used as hereinafter described, and I herewith present a method for constructing a simple and efiicient electrode for use in sulfuric acid and sulfate solutions which will withstand the disintegrating and dissolving I 40 effect of the liberated oxygen produced by the action of a direct electric current pass ing through the solution. I

These objects I attain by the manipulation and use of the following constituent elements and as adapted and used to produce thesdesired results, it being understood that slight variations may be resorted to within Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed September 29, 1911. Serial No. 652,020.

ELECTRODE.

. PatentedNov. 4, 1913.

the scope of the claim, without departing from the spirit of my invention. 4

In the drawing, the present invention is illustrated as embodied in a platinum-plated tungsten electrode for use in an electrolytic bath. The platinum plating covers the porti'on of the electrode which is to be immersed in the electrolyte. While for the sake of illustration, tlie platinum plating is shown as having an appreciable thickness, it is to be understood that in the actual electrode, the plating is a very thin electro-plating.

In carrying out my invention and putting the same into practice the metallic'tungsten is formed into the shape desired for the electrode. It is then to be plated with metallic platinum, which I preferably accomplish by placing the thus formed electrode in a solution of platinum chlorid holding an' excess of sodium phosphate made slightly acid with phosphoric acid, and'in aposition where said electrode will become the cathode. I then pass a current of electricity of from one and twtenths to two volts for about two hours, this will plate the said electrode with metallic platinum. The said electrode is then detached and washed in pure water and dried. The said tungsten electrode will act as a cathode before it is plated with the platinum, but when used as an anode in a sulfuric solution it will not conduct electricity. There are some solutions in which the unplated tungsten will act as an anode, but the anode will deteriorate and I use the platinum film 0r plating as a protection therefor. But when plated with the plati num the tungsten becomes as good a conductor as the solid platinum, and by reason of the cheapness, is much to be preferred as it possesses all the qualities for conducting electricity that is possessed by the platinum. As it takes a higher temperature'to fuse ormelt tungsten than it does platinum,

there are many uses that a platinum plated,

tungsten. electrode may be used for, and i where such an electrode would be more des red, such as in elect-r10 furnaces for -smelting or refining ores and metals. As will be A platinum-plated tungsten electrode. readily observed the use of platinum plated In testimony whereof I have affixed my tungsten electrodes will be far superior to signature in presence of two witnesses.

- carbon electrodes as they do not oxidize so ROYALE H. STEVENS. 5 readily. Witnesses: 7

Having thus described my invention I de- BEN L. CORUM,

sire to secure by Letters Patent: and claim i SAM RANEY. 

